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Topic: Newbury Lib Dems call for Richard Benyon to give people the final say on Brexit (Read 706 times)

Lib Dems call for Newbury MP to give people the final say on BrexitWest Berkshire’s Liberal Democrat Party Chairman Tony Vickers has written toNewbury MP Richard Benyon urging him to vote in favour of the people having thefinal say on Brexit, including the option to remain in the EU. Parliament debates theEU Withdrawal Bill this week.Dr Vickers said it was “crunch time” and urged Mr Benyon to “put country beforeparty” and added: “Brexit is an immediate threat to our economy and public services.From the drop in the value of the pound to the shortage of skilled workers, the impactis already being felt in West Berkshire.”“Regardless of how people voted, it is clear that no one is getting what they wanted.That is why it is so important the people, not the politicians, have the final say on thedeal, including the option to remain in the EU”.The EU Withdrawal Bill is returning to the House of Commons on Tuesday 12th June.The Bill returns from the House of Lords where over 100 amendments were made,including 15 Government defeats. The Liberal Democrats have lodged anamendment which, if successful, will ensure the people have the final say on theBrexit deal, including the option to remain in the EU.Liberal Democrat Brexit Spokesperson Tom Brake MP has said: “The Lords defeatedthe Government on fifteen occasions. In doing so, membership of the EuropeanEconomic Area was backed and attempts to hand ministers ‘blank cheque’ powerswere squashed. This was achieved because both Tory and Labour Peers joined theLiberal Democrats and voted with their conscience, defying their parties’ whips.“The Brexit ball is now back in the Common’s court. The challenge for MPs of allpolitical colours is to follow the example set by their colleagues and vote to defendthe interests of their constituents.”

TEXT OF LETTER TO MR BENYON follows:-Dear Richard,Brexit is an immediate threat to our economy and public services. From the drop inthe value of the pound to the shortage of skilled workers, the impact is already beingfelt.Meanwhile the present Government seems incapable of making any kind of plan forBrexit and key figures in you party are not only an embarrassment but they areputting their own personal agenda ahead of our national interest. None of thecountry’s real problems are being addressed because Brexit is absorbing everyone’stotal ‘bandwidth’.Regardless of how people voted, it is clear that no one is getting what they wanted.That is why it is so important the people, not the politicians, should have the final sayon the deal.With the EU Withdrawal Bill now due back in the House of Commons, I urge you toback the Liberal Democrat amendment 19 to give the people the final say.This process started with democracy and should end with democracy. With the eyesof history watching, I hope you will put the country and your constituency beforeparty. It is crunch time.You campaigned Remain. Most of your constituents voted Remain. Hardly any ofthem voted to be made poorer yet households are already on average £900/yrpoorer.We all deserve the chance to reconsider. Democracy did not end with theReferendum. Members of Parliament must put the interests of the country aboveeverything.Before it is too late, I hope you join us to give voters an opportunity to stop adisastrous Brexit, which as we both know will inflict permanent damage to ourcountry. Please allow us to hit the ‘reset’ button.Kind regards,Tony Vickers, Chair, West Berkshire & Newbury Liberal Democrats